I’ve gotten a lot of email and voicemails lately, wondering if I am ok and everyone is ok in my family. I am and we are. No serious illnesses here, thank goodness — I guess I need to put my status up on the website…

I have been working on getting my studio set up so I can get everything in one place and have  done the majority of it all by myself. I’ve painted, refinished furniture, laid flooring, and touched every piece of fabric that I’ve collected for over 20 years at least twice (if not more than that) to weed out and put away what I’m keeping in my stash.

Here are preliminary pictures so you can see what has been my obsession for the last THREE months:

Here is where I began, in a room that is the dumping ground for everything that doesn’t fit anywhere else. Robin’s stage amplifier, my son Ryan’s bike, camping equipment, etc. used to have a home here, with my fabric stash… no longer!

As I worked, I had to clear out one area and stack the stuff as tightly as I could in another area so I had work space — like playing Tetris. So sometimes, I spent a whole day just moving things around so I could work the next day. Yes, there was NOWHERE else to put the things outside of my studio space while I worked. The ideal solution would have been to work in an empty space — but no such luck with this project. I had to prepare and paint the walls one section at a time — moving things in place once a portion was painted, until I was done.

The wall behind me was painted light yellow to match the flannel for my design wall and the wall to my right is really more of a deep tangerine than a Chiklet orange. The existing lighting is golden, so it makes the photos look weird right now. I’m covering design wall boards with neutral flannel and will put them up like tile to fit the wall. I like this solution for a design wall.

Once I got the design wall up — my first accomplishment — I hung a sign that I found in a local quilt shop. It says “Trust Your Crazy Ideas”, a reminder that I needed throughout this project to help me keep going. The scope of doing a studio, virtually by yourself, is a mammoth undertaking. While I enjoyed the work (and sometimes the solitude), the advantage to working by myself is that I know each piece of fabric that is in my stash, where all of my books go and how many patterns I have for order fulfillment. No one else helped me put things away, so I know that I can find everything exactly where I put it!

Speaking of the “stash”, here it is — all eighty-four boxes of it! Just handling the fabric, deciding what to keep, what to give away and how to categorize it all in the cupboards took me two full weeks, 40 hours each week, to put it all away. I started panicking when I realized I was getting close to running out of room…

Amid the remodel, I had to set up the video recording area of the studio so I could video tape a West of Baltimore block of the month lesson! You can see how my sewing area is set up and the design wall is filled with my examples — and there in the foreground are cupboard fronts that are being white-washed. I covered the precious items with clear drop clothes in case of disasters, which are sure to come…

Here are the cupboards that I refinished and built, using Ikea Ivar modular shelving. Everything I used for the studio was recycled from within my house — believe it or not! Just as I finished with the last layer of varnish, I dropped a half-gallon bucket of pink paint — all over the floor, which splashed up onto the Ivar pieces. I had to re-sand and touch up half of the units before putting the  cupboard together. You can see that it’s starting to work just great. The Ivar units can be made to any size that you need and even have a corner unit if you want it to be L-shaped. The sad news is: they no longer have the glass door front cupboards available – remember, I recycled things that we weren’t using in my house. A perfect way to save money and use things that you really love.

This is what my stash used to look like. One of five boxes of green fabric, the color that I have the most of. It’s not my favorite color, red is — but I use green more than any other color, for applique leaves and stems. You can never have too much green!

The contents of more than thirty UFO boxes. My question: “What the heck is this, what does it belong to, and why did I buy these like this?!” After all these years (probably 5 years), I just can’t remember because I didn’t keep the pattern or book with the box. So, I had no choice but to cull the pieces I didn’t like and sort the others into their categories. Oh well, one UFO box down.

There have been a few other happenings while I’ve been working on the studio…

WebGuy had the opportunity to visit our son and his family in North Carolina while doing some business there. The first day he arrived, they went to a Durham Bulls game (baseball, the only true sport ; ) and this is the result of the outing:

Our sweet little 6 month old Cambria was hit in the eye by a foul ball. Those of you little league parents and baseball fans know how serious one of these balls can be. Everything worked to Cambria’s favor: a Pediatric Surgeon who was sitting a couple rows back, EMT’s on the spot, Duke University Hospital ER — 10 minutes away, and a very pliable baby skeleture. Miracles do happen — Cambria had NO damage to her head -or- eye and has recovered nicely, as the picture below shows. Not so the lady a couple seats down from Cambria, who received the ball smack in the middle of her face after it bounced off Cambria… she also went to the ER with a broken nose and broken facial bones.

Taken just two weeks after the incident, no trace of a problem. Cambria is now 8 months old and beginning to crawl. Oh, by the way, she loves to watch baseball on tv.

Finally (and most important):

Here’s the thing I’ve been working on and not been able to talk about: The Ultimate Applique Guidebook! You know that I’ve been working on a book this year, but I haven’t been able to talk about it until my publisher (C&T Publishing) gave me permission. The book will be out in October and is available for presale orders on Amazon.com. Here is a link directly to the book: click here.

I will be sharing much more information about the book as the release date gets closer. I’m also going to devote a podcast and vidcast to my experience with writing the book, just in case you’re interested in learning about the process. Speaking about “book” learning, I think an online class or two or three would be a great idea in early 2011… what do you think? You’ll get up-close and personal instruction for the projects in the book.

Whew — I’m almost done with the studio — and waiting for some podcast equipment to arrive via UPS today and I will be back in business! Working on the studio has given me ideas for 25 new podcasts — so I’m not going away! A new podcast will be up by the weekend. I’m sorry for being gone from the podcast for so long — I just didn’t realize how long it’s been!

Thanks for writing — it’s good to know you’re still out there ; )

Happy Quilting!

©2010  Annie Smith   All Rights Reserved

entitled “Prosperity is Just Around the Corner” – her commentary on  the depression era.

There are a couple of other things that are right around the corner:

The Quilter’s Palette and Quiltmaking 101 ONLINE classes are right around the corner — literally. They are scheduled to begin on May 14th, with a limited number of spaces still available. Visit Quilting Stash Classroom for all of the details.

Just in case you haven’t seen the quilts, here they are:

Also just around the corner:

The Birthday Podcast — stay tuned!

©2010 Annie Smith   All Rights Reserved

Arlene

and Lori.  Thanks for the comments. Listeners!!

More to come, real soon — after all, the 5th anniversary of the Quilting Stash podcast is just around the corner.  Stay tuned!

You’ll like these:

Here is Cambria in her favorite chair, Mommy’s rocker. Up above her is the quilt that I made for her. A much smaller version of the one I originally planned, and realized that it was much too big for a 7 lb. baby.

Here is Cambria in a hat, sweater and socks crocheted by my longtime friend, Terri Cochran. She picked the best yarn and Cambria loves her outfit.

Little Miss Blue-eyes, playing with her tongue — precious, right? ; )

Karen and Ryan keep us entertained with daily pictures, most often to our cell phones. It’s a wonderful treat to find a picture waiting. She’s growing up so fast — she’s 4 months old already!

©2009 Annie Smith  All Rights Reserved

Here is a list and links to the treasures that I have found recently. Enjoy!

•    Album Quilts of Ohio’s Miami Valley by Sue C. Cummings
•    Quilts of Virginia 1607-1899, the birth of America through the eye of a needle

•    Wisconsin Quilts – History in the stitches by Ellen Kort with Maggi McCormick Gordon

•    Quilts of the Oregon Trail by Mary Bywater Cross
•    The Farmer’s Wife Sampler Quilt – letters from 1920’s farm wives and the 111 blocks they inspired – by Laurie Aaron Hird

•    The American Quilt: A history of cloth and comfort 1750-1950 by Rod Kiracofe

•    American Quilts: The Democratic Art 1780-2007 by Robert Shaw

Schiffer books has a huge catalog of books. Lark books, too.

Small Blocks, Stunning Quilts by Biz Storms and Mary Elizabeth Kinch

Making Memories, Simple Quilts from Cherished Clothing is by my friend, Deb Rowden.

If you want a direct line to Deb, check out her blog, Thrift Store Quilts.

C&T Publishing

• Surface Design Essentials by Jane Davila

• To Be An Elm Creek Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini

• Calling Cards: Connect with Style by Trice Boerens — look at the bottom of the blog for a surprise!

Kay MacKenzie’s Dolls and Dresses to Applique

Barrington Medallion pattern by Karen Witt of Reproductionquilts.com

Quilts of the Shelburne Museum, postcards

The Goddess of the Last Minute by Robbi Joy Eklow

Check out the vidcast — Bonnie McCaffery with Robbi!

Marie Bostwick’s new book, A Thread So Thin will be released in April!

What treasures I found at my local Library!

Books
•    Jinny Beyer’s Quilters Album of Patchwork Patterns

•    Masters Art Quilts by Martha Sielman

•    Art Quilts, a celebration of 400 contemporary designs

•    The Orlofski’s book: Quilts in America

Audiobooks to listen to while I quilt:

The Physick book of Deliverance Dane

Quilt DVD’s:

• The Quiltmakers of Gees Bend
• A Century of Quilts
• The Art of Quilting
• The Great American Quilt Revival

Cottage Quilts in Fresno — oops, sorry – I said the shop was Quilt Cottage.

Sew Cute Couture by Gail Doane — these darling clothes are in sizes 6 months to 12 years. Patterns are included in the book.

The Scientific Quilter podcast – Darla McFarren

Mark’s new podcast info can be found on his blog here.

Add a comment below for a chance to win:

Kay’s Dolls and Dresses book, KAren Witt’s Barrington Medallion pattern and one that I forgot to mention… a copy of Calling Cards! So 3 fabulous prizes. The winners will be drawn on March 27th.

©2010 Annie Smith   All Rights Reserved

Congratulations to:

Ann, Shelly, Char, Kathy Feltmate, Colleen, Callie Appelstein and Vicki Stuart who posted comments on the Show #180 podcast blog for a chance to win fabulous prizes!

If you didn’t win this time, never fear — I have more to come!!

Thanks to Quilter’s Paradise, Susan Branch, and Mountainpeek Creations for their generous donations to the podcast.

But mostly, Thank You for commenting and letting me know that you’re still listening! I loved reading every one. I promise more regular podcasts, more cool info, breaking news in the quilt industry and more pictures!

Thanks for listening!!

I’m back! Did you miss me? I have a lot to share with you in this show, so let’s get going.

Eleanor Burns’ Quilt In A Day shop in San Marcos, CA. She has one in Paducah, KY too!

Fat Quarters Quilt Shop in Vista.

Starry Night Hollow in Encinitas. They even have their own “The Men of Starry Night Hollow” calendar with the men, uh, modeling quilts!!

Quilter’s Paradise in Escondido. Here’s a photo of the Heart Trio Kit:

All laser-cut and ready to be assembled. Could that be any cooler?! And here’s a link to designer Jeri Kelly.

Complete info about Quilt Colorado

Holly’s Quilt Cabin in Centennial.

And a link to Mountain Peek patterns. They’re in the drawing too!

Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden. Currently their website is down.

Info about Harriet’s Treadle Arts can be found on her website here. She has COOL new diagonal grid graph paper that will be out soon — in May. Keep an eye out for it. Brought to you by C&T Publishing. I’ll be talking more about it soon.

Susan Branch’s 2010 is in the drawing too. Here’s a picture:

Ok, so I know that the year has already begun, but I love calendars. They’re still good for 10 more uses! And you’ll love Sue’s calendars, jam-packed with useful quotes and observations, not to mention her beautiful art work.

Museum of Quilts and Textiles in San Jose, CA, the first museum entirely devoted to quilts and needle arts. For real!

Julie Silber’s Quilt Complex

Julie, talking about a small quilt made out of Cigar silk “premiums”.

Joe the Quilter Cunningham

Joe, observing Barbara’s expert detection skills

Barbara Brackman

I love this picture of Julie, Barbara and Joe.

Ok – I have to start this section off with the most precious picture of my little granddaughter, Cambria — you’re going to be seeing a lot of her!

three months old already!!

Elly Sienkiewicz’s Applique Academy in Williamsburg, VA

Elly and, her Girl Friday, Bette Augustine during the High Tea. I also love this picture of Elly and Bette — you can tell that they are treasured friends.

Detail from one of Elly’s quilts, found in her book, “Fancy Applique”

and photos of other inspiring quilts:

Nadine Thompson’s quilt

Elly’s Eagle design in one of Kathryn Tennyson’s quilts. The Eagle with the furled flag is one of my very favorite motifs for applique, or anything else.

Jan Vaine

Jeni Buechel’s Ornamental Applique

A little sample of Jeni’s Amazing applique!

Karen Witt’s Reproduction Quilts

Here are the TESAA 2010 Sorority Sisters:

Left to right: Kathy Dunigan, Pearl Pereira, Cathy Van Bruggen and me.

Here is a sample of their work along with their website links:

Pearl Pereira

Cathy Van Bruggen

Kathy Dunigan

The Applique Society

Annie’s family history info:  The Germanna Foundation

I am a:

Rector

Fishback

Utterback

Haeger

Hitt

descendant.  Are you my relative?? Anyone living in the U.S. with these last names can be traced to the original settlers (Richter, Fischbach, Otterbach,Haeger, and Heite).

Here’s what some of their locks and chain might have looked like:

And Governor Spottswood’s mansion:

My ancestors would have been using the back entrance…

and one of the shop girls had this magnificent skirt made out of an antique quilt:

And places we love to eat along the way (to quilt shops of course!):

Dixie Bell’s

Five Guys

Peak City Grill

The Bavarian Brathaus mmmmmmmmm good!

The Weathervane restaurant at A Southern Season

The King’s Arms Tavern at Colonial Williamsburg Still as yummy as I remember! Here is a picture of an appetizer drink, called a shrub.

Paul’s, the College of William and Mary hangout

Yes, I’m still alive. I’ve got so many projects all coming due at once right now. Podcasts are on their way sooooon!

In the meantime, check out my new lectures and workshops brochure for 2010!

Click the Image to Download

See you next year !

©2009 Annie Smith   All Rights Reserved (I just had to do that, one last time ; )

The West of Baltimore was made completely with Cherrywood fabrics on Kona Black solid.

Cherrywood dyed fabric is the most sumptuous fabric I know of — the finish looks like suede and the “hand” of the fabric is great to work with, whether you’re doing pieced work or applique.

I recently made a large quilt with Cherrywoods that I didn’t even think to prewash – now I’m concerned. The instructions that come with the fabric clearly state that they recommend prewashing… so why didn’t I listen? (Probably had some other not-so-important stuff rattling around in my head)

Ok, so I divided the fabrics by color and by lightness/darkness, found the bottle of Synthrapol and a measuring teaspoon and headed for the washer. Luckily, I had a box of Color Catchers – little washer sheets that trap the excess dye in the water so it doesn’t migrate to other fabrics. These were made for laundry loads, but leave it to us creative types to find other uses for these nifty sheets!

Here is a photo of fabrics that just came out of the dryer and have the Color Catcher sheets on top of the piles:

The light green sheet almost looks white with the other colors, but can you find the rust one? It’s so dark that it blends in with the fabrics — that were primarily orange and peach, so the darker Rust is the one that released the dye the most.

That’s what Synthrapol does — it releases excess dye, while Retayne keeps the fabric from releasing more dye. Synthrapol didn’t lighten any of the colors of my beautiful Cherrywoods, by the way.

Here is a photo of the Color Catchers after the prewash loads were done:

Aren’t the colors vivid?!

I’m going to keep these and cut them up to use for little art quilts and doing collage books. They are a fiber (of some kind) and they are STRONG. I think they’ll cut into shapes beautifully. I can iron them, stitch on them — probably stamp on them, and they’ll be good.

Now I wish I had kept all of the Color Catchers that I have used in the past – I’d have a pretty good stash of them now. If I had thought about keeping them when I finished my first batch, I would have thrown in 2 sheets!

Here’s the deal though, our printed and solid fabrics don’t bleed like they used to when I first started quilting. Usually, my Color Catcher sheet comes out of the washer as white as it went in! But I have this one RED blouse that rubs red onto my underclothing no matter how many times it’s washed.

I’m going to pay attention in the future with the Color Catchers… who knows, I think I’ve created a new stash.  …don’t tell my husband!…

©2009  Annie Smith  All Rights Reserved